Venetian blind window



May 13, 1969 L. TOTH VENETIAN BLIND WINDOW Sheet of9 Filed Aug. 10, 1967 INVENTOR.

May 13, 1969 TOTH VENETIAN BLIND WINDOW Sheet Filed Aug. 10, 196

y 1969' L. TOTH VENETIAN BLIND WINDOW Sheet .9 of 9 Filed Aug. 10, 1.967

N5 ad wb May 13, ws

L. TOTH VENETIAN BLIND WINDOW Sheet A of 9 Filed Aug. 10, 1967 \J50 144 142; wggg 7/0.

May 13, 1969 L TOTH 3,443,624

VENETIAN BLIND WINDOW Filed Aug. 10, 1967 Sheet 5 of 9 May 13, 1969 L. TOTH 3,443,624

VENETIAN BLIND WINDOW Filed Aug. 10, 1967 Sheet of 9 3, 1969 1... TOTH VENETIAN BLIND WINDOW Sheet 7 of9 Filed Aug. 10. 1967 May 13, 1969 TOTH VENETIAN BLIND WINDOW Filed Aug. 10, 1967 May 13, 1969 I L. TOTH VENETIAN BLIND WINDOW Sheet Filed Aug. 10, 1967 United States Patent 3,443,624 VENETIAN BLIND WINDOW Louis Toth, Easton, 'Conn., assignor to Anchor Enterprises Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Aug. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 659,653 Int. Cl. E06b 3/40, 3/66, 9/303 US. Cl. 160107 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pivotal double pane window mounted upon locking pivot means and having a Venetian blind positioned between the panes which may be actuated by the single control knob for raising, lowering and tilting the blind blades and a control mechanism which allows the blades to be raised and lowered only when the blades are horizontal or open,

Background of the invention My invention relates to Venetian blind windows and, more particularly, to such windows having a single blind control knob which will only raise and lower the blind when the slats are in a horizontal or nontilted position and which may include security pivots for limiting the amount of window opening.

Pivotable windows known to the prior art are generally constructed with simple pivot pins which allow them to be rotated 360". Therefore they do not satisfy the rigorous safety standards established by many states for institutions such as hospitals and schools. It is desirable to provide pivotable windows with security pivots which will allow the window to be opened slightly a safe amount for emergency ventilation if airconditioning breaks down and also for rotating the window and locking it in a window washing position for safely washing the exterior pane from the inside of the building.

Venetian blind windows known to the prior art are of the type having a sealed compartment located between the normal inner and outer panes within which the blind is disposed. The blind is generally controlled by plural operators, i.e. at least one for raising and lowering and another for tilting of the blind. It is highly desirable in windows of this type to provide a Venetian blind which does not need frequent servicing due to breakdown most commonly caused by fraying and rupturing of the usual lift cords. Such breakdown is caused when the blind is raised and lowered with the blades in a tilted position. Servicing requires the sealed compartment to be opened allowing dust and other foreign matter to enter, resulting in more frequent cleaning of the interior of the panes.

Double pane windows of this type known to the prior art also present the problem of thermal conductivity through the structural elements, resulting in condensation on the inner pane and air infiltration through the usual double row wiping-type weatherseal between the pivotable sash assembly and the frame. Furthermore, since the usual external wiping type weatherseal is exposed to the sun and the elements it deteriorates rapidly causing air infiltration.

Summary of the invention Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Venetian blind window having a single Venetian blind control knob which may be used for raising, lowering and tilting the blades from a convenient location on the inner sash and which will only raise and lower the blind when the blades are in a horizontal position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a Venetian blind window having the features set forth above which ice may be used to equal advantage in windows of various types including those having double glazed frames which are stationary or of the pivoted type.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide a window which is pivotable about either a vertical or horizontal axis and which has a safe opening position for emergency ventilation and a safe window washing position for washing the exterior pane from inside the building, both open positions" being positive, automatic and foolproof and which may include a Venetian blind having the structural features set forth above.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a Venetian blind window wherein the frame and sash members are constructed of structural elements having thermal insulating barriers therein for preventing thermal or electrical conduction therethrough and having at least one lap type weatherseal at its periphery which is protected from the sun and which positively prevents air infiltration.

To accomplish these objects, in one form, a double pane window is provided which comprises: a frame; a sash assembly including an exterior sash portion which supports an exterior glass pane and a relatively movable interior sash portion which supports an interior glass pane, the panes and sash portions defining a chamber therebetween; a Venetian blind assembly positioned within the chamber; a single manually operable control knob mounted in the interior sash for tilting, raising and lowering the blind; and a Venetian blind operating mechanism actuated by the control knob and including selectively positionable means for allowing the blind to be lifted only when the blind blades are in their horizontal or open position.

Brief description of the drawings Other objects and further details of that which I believe to be novel and my invention will be clear from the following description and claims taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a bank of windows, constructed in accordance with my invention, as viewed from the exterior of a building;

FIG. 2 is a section taken substantially along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the window mounted in a wall, and further showing structural details of the frame and sash, the weathersealing therebetween, the lower pivot, and the position of the Venetian blind;

FIG. 3 is a section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing the Venetian blind control knob on one side of the inner sash and the latch lock shown in its unlocked position;

FIG. 4 is a section taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing the pull and latch lock;

FIG. 5 is a section taken substantially along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 showing the pull and the latch lock in its locked position;

FIG. 6 is a section taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 1 showing the Venetian blind control knob and its interrelationship with the operating mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a section taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 showing the index plate and index pin;

FIG. 8 is a section taken substantially along line 88 of FIG. 1 showing the details of the upper ratchet pivot;

FIG. 9 is a section taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing the ratchet mechanism and showing the safe opening position in dot-dash lines;

FIG. 10 is a section taken substantially along line 1i 10 of FIG. 1 showing the lower security pivot;

FIG. 11 is a section taken substantially along line 3 '1111 of FIG. showing the details of the base portion of the security pivot;

FIG. 12 is a section taken substantially along line 12-12 of FIG. 10 showing the details of the cover of the security pivot;

FIG. 13 is a section taken substantially along line 13-13 of FIG. 11 showing the locking pin and its pinion operator;

FIG. 14- is a section taken substantially along line l t-14 of FIG. 11, showing the locking sear in an inoperative position;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of my Venetian blind and its cable operator;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the interrelationship of the control knob with the blind control mechanism;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the clutch ring utilized for tilting and raising the blind;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the Venetian blind operator mechanism;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the Venetian blind operator mechanism with an alternate control means shown in dot-dash lines;

FIG. 20 is a view taken substantially along line 20-20 of FIG. 19 showing the tilt control bobbin;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the Venetian blind operator for use with a standard cord lift Venetian blind;

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the blind control pulleys shown in the lift position;

FIG. 23 is a front elevational view similar to that of FIG. 22 showing the tilt position;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cord lift Venetian blind operator and control mechanism;

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the control knob and control pulleys of FIG. 24 shown in the lift position;

FIG. 26 is a view similar to that of FIG. 25 showing the tilt position, and

FIG. 27 is a section taken substantially along line 2727 of FIG. 26 showing the tilt operator and the tilt limiting device. I

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments Turning now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a bank of windows W each constructed in accordance with my invention, the bank comprising a unit of three individual pivoted windows 10 separated by fixed mullions 12, which may be combined with another unit of windows and separated therefrom by an expansion or shipping mullion 14. The entire bank of windows W which may comprise several units is mounted in an opening 16 formed in a vertically disposed wall 18 of the building, as clearly seen in FIG. 2. The windows are firmly and securely mounted in the wall 18 by means of a plurality of anchors 20 whch are located adjacent the heavily stressed pivoting points.

The window comprises a support frame 22 of rigid and twist-free construction, preferably made of metallic structural elements formed in accordance with my copending application entitled Structural Element with Thermal Barrier Means, Ser. No. 636,866, filed May 8, 1967. The corners of the frame are precision mitred and are reinforced with L-shaped angle corners, also as disclosed in my above mentioned copending application. The structural element comprising the frame includes an exterior metal member 23, a tubular member 24 and a thermal barrier means 25 having good thermal insulating characteristics and being sufficiently rigid to secure the metal members 23 and 24 together. The exterior metal member 23 includes a flange 26 having a groove 28 formed therein for receiving and securing a Weatherstrip material. The tubular member 24 is provided with longitudinal positioning ridges 30 extending along both sides thereof. The frame 22 supports a sash assembly 32 within which are disposed an exterior pane 34 and an interior pane 36.

The sash assembly 32 comprises a rigid and twist-free exterior sash 37 preferably formed in accordance with the above identified application. An exterior metal member 38 and a tubular metal member 39 are separated and are secured together by a thermal barrier element 40. The exterior metal member 38 includes a flange 41 extending in one direction having a groove 42 for receiving a Weatherstrip material, and also includes flange 44, extending in the opposite direcaion, on the glazing side of the sash, to form an exterior glazing channel 45 in cooperation with a removable glazing bead 46 for receiving an exterior pane 34 which is held therein by a suitable glazing compound 48. The tubular sash member 39 is formed with a longitudinal positioning ridge 49 upon its periphery and a flange 50 extending inwardly having a groove 51 and a channel 52 located on the glazing side thereof. A resilient Weatherstrip 53, preferably made of polyvinyl chloride or a similar material, is disposed in the groove 51 around the entire sash for cooperating with the wall of a hinged sash 54 to seal the Venetian blind chamber 56.

The hinged sash 54 comprises a tubular structure having a flange 58 which cooperates with a glazing bead 60 to form an interior channel 61 for receiving the interior pane 36 which is held therein by a suitable glazing compound 62. The sash 54 is positioned within the exterior sash 37 and, more particularly, adjoins the channel 52. As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the hinged sash 54 is secured to the exterior sash 37 by means of a piano hinge 64 to permit access to the Venetian blind chamber 56. It should be understood, of course, that a pivot pin may be substituted for the piano hinge, if so desired. A stay arm, the slide 66 of which is shown disposed in the channel 52, is secured to the hinged sash for limiting the degree of opening of the hinged sash for protecting the interior pane 36.

The sash assembly 32 is rotatable relative to the frame 22 upon the unique upper and lower pivots 68 and 70 which will be described in detail below. Although the pivots are shown upon a vertical axis, it should be understood that they may be disposed upon a horizontal axis if so desired. In order to minimize air infiltration even under high wind conditions I have provided my novel pivotal double pane window with unique weathersealing means comprising two rows of weatherseals. An exterior weatherseal 72 of lap-type contact is formed by metal strip 73 and a resilient strip 74 made of polyvinyl chloride or other suitable plastic material having high heat and moisture insulating qualities. An interior weatherseal 75 of wiping-type contact comprises an L-shaped weatherstrip support 76 which supports a resilient Weatherstrip 77. Since the window is pivotable it should be readily seen that it would be impossible to provide a fixed peripheral lap-type seal and still allow the window to be rotated. Therefore, I have provided a split, reversing lap-type seal 72 as illustrated on the upper portion of the window in FIG. 2 with the metal strip 73 secured to the frame on the outswing half of the sash, while the lap-type seal 72 illustrated on the lower portion of the window has the metal strap 73 secured to the sash on the inswing half thereof. The exterior lap-type seal is constructed by merely introducing the self-locking and sealing metal strip 73 or the resilient strip 74 into the respective grooves 28 and 42 as required, reversing their positions at the central pivot portion of the window. The exterior weatherseal is protected on its upper and lower sides by a longitudinal drip guard 77a secured to the frame or exterior sash as shown. It should further be noted that the resilient strip 74 is substantially shielded from the sun and the elements to protect it from deterioration resulting in detrimental air infiltration. Similarly, the L-shaped Weatherstrip support 76 is secured to the frame 22 on the outswing half of the window and to the sash assembly 32 on the inswing half of the window. My unique weatherseal means makes it impossible to insert foreign objects between the frame and sash to form an air infiltration shunt, as has been possible in the fully reversible prior art windows incorporating two rows of wiping-type seals. Furthermore, the two rows of weatherseals of my invention effectively seal off an air mass in a peripheral chamber 78 which is positioned substantially in a thermal barrier line as defined by the thermal barriers and and in which the exterior pane 34 lies. This construction effectively minimizes heat transfer from the exterior to the interior of the building.

A usual latch generally referred to by the numeral 79 (note FIG. 3) is disposed in the hinge sash 54 for locking the sash 54 to the exterior sash 37 to prevent unauthorized opening thereof for access to the Venetian blind. In order to properly position the hinged sash relative to the exterior sash 37 for alignment of the latch 79 and the Venetian blind control knob 82 whose function will become apparent, I have provided a wedge-shaped riding block 80, formed of a low-friction plastic material, in the channel 52 at the lower portion of the flange 50.

The pivotable sash assembly 32 is provided with a concealed removable key type latch lock 84 (illustrated in FIGS. 35) including a pull 86 positioned on the inswing side of the exterior sash 37. The pull 86 includes a central bore 88 having counterbored portions 90 and 92 at its ends within which is disposed a latch operator rod 94 having a noncircular portion at its driven end 96 and a skew driving end 98. A torsion spring 100 is secured to the rod 94 within the counterbore 92 and continuously biases the rod in a counterclockwise locking direction in which the skew driving end 98 urges a cam latch 102 into locking engagement with a strike plate 104 secured to the fixed mullion 12. The cam latch v102 includes a locking head 106 having a cammed face which may include a V-groove 108 scored therein as illustrated or may include a serrated face, a curved retracting seat 110 against which the driving end 98 bears for unlocking the cam latch 102 and a stop portion -112 formed at its end for cooperating with a portion of the tubular sash member 39. The cam latch 102 is pivotable about a pivot pin 114 passing therethrough and is supported by latch supports 116 secured to the exterior sash 37. In FIG. 5 the latch lock 84 is shown in its locked position and it should be noted that constant pressure is being maintained on the exterior resilient Weatherstrip 74. FIG. 3 illustrates the unlocked position of the latch lock 84 prior to opening the sash assembly 32. A key K is shown in dot-dash lines having been rotated for unlocking the latch, but it should be noted that the latch automatically locks the sash assembly to the frame on closing, thus preventing accidental openmg.

The upper and lower pivots 68 and 70 are designed for mountation upon a vertical or horizontal axis for allowing the sash assembly 32 to be safely opened or closed a predetermined small amount corresponding to approximately four to six inches of maximum opening, which is sufiicient for emergency ventilation. From its maximum safe opening position the lower locking pivot 70 may be unlocked with a special key which may be similar to the key K used on the latch lock, and the sash assembly 32 may be rotated to another safe or locked position for washing the outside of the exterior pane 34.

In order to accomplish these locking functions, the lower security pivot .70 comprises a generally cup-shaped cast metal circular base 118 (see FIGS. 1014), including a butterfly shaped opening 120, a pivot boss 122, a central axial aperture 124, a transverse bore 126, and a radially offset axial aperture 128 which intersects the bore 126. The exterior planar surface of the cup-shaped base 118 includes a seat 130 and a groove 132 which are formed for the accurate placement and support of the pivot upon the frame tubular metal member 24, the groove 132 receiving a portion of the ridge 30. The base is further provided with a plurality of axial openings 134 to receive locking screws 136 which are threadedly anhaving a rack 142 formed in one face thereof, a transverse pinion shaft 144 including a noncircular key driven portion 146 at one end, an adjacent pinion 148, and a circular rod portion 150 of smaller diameter. A shaft stop ring 152 having a notch 154 is secured to the rod portion 150 by means of a stop pin 156, and a torsion spring 158 is also disposed upon the rod 150. One end 160 of the spring 158 is maintained stationary in the base under the head of the securing screw 162, while the other end 164 extends into an axial aperture 166 in the stop ring 152 for biasing the pinion shaft 144 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 13, to spring load the locking pin 140 upwardly (note FIG. 13). A pivotable spring-loaded locking sear 168 is pivotally secured in the cup-shaped base 118 upon a pivot pin 170 secured in the pivot boss. The scar 168 includes a dog leg 172 at one end and a fin 174 at its opposite end. The fin 174 is urged upwardly out of the base by means of a compression spring 176 positioned within a spring seat 178 located directly therebeneath. The locking sear is utilized to prevent counterclockwise rotation of the transverse shaft 144 when the dog leg 172 is seated in the notch.

A cover plate 180 disposed adjacent the base 118 is secured thereto by means of a pivot pin 181 having a head 182, a plain bearing portion 183 for passing through a central axial aperture 185 in the cover plate and a threaded portion 184 threadedly anchored in a tapped portion of the central axial aperture 124. I have designed the cover plate with several indents for performing the above described locking functions. A concentric arcuate slot 186 normally receives the locking pin 140 at its center and allows the cover to rotate to the safe emergency ventilating position and back to the closed position without retracting the locking pin. An indent 187 is positioned at a desired angle from the center of the arcuate slot 186 and corresponds to the safe window-washing position. The cover further includes a plurality of elongated recesses 188 which may receive the fin 174 when the sash assembly is located in the emergency ventilating position and the window-washing position. These recesses have ramps to allow the fin to ride thereupon for causing the locking sear 168 to be rotated about its pivot pin 170. The cover plate 180 further includes a step 190' and groove 191 formed in its opposite planar surface for being positioned against the tubular sash member 39 and for receiving a portion of the longitudinal ridge 49. Since the tubular member 39 is narrower than the tubular member 24 it was necessary to square the cover (note FIG. 12) so that the mounting screw apertures 192 could be properly spaced and mounting screws 193 may pass therethrough and be threadedly anchored in a reinforcing block 194, preferably made of aluminum, disposed within the tubular sash member 39. It should be noted that the cast metal security pivot base 118 and cover 180 have been formed to allow them to be used with a window which is to be pivoted in a direction opposite to that shown in the drawings if required. Of course, in such instance the weatherseals 72 and 75 will have to be reversed as well.

It has been pointed out that the cover 180 may rotate about the pivot 181 to and from the safe opening position while the locking pin 140 is unretracted, as shown in FIGS. 10, 12 and 13. However, in order to allow the cover to be rotated to the window-washing position it is necessary to retract the locking pin 140 by turning the pinion shaft 144 in a clockwise direction against the bias of the torsion spring 158. This maybe accomplished with an appropriate tool having an axial bore for coupling with and turning the noncircular end 146 of the pinion shaft. In order to allow the operator to release the tool while simultaneously allowing him to turn the sash assembly 32 out of line, I have provided the locking pin retracting mechanism comprising the shaft stop ring 152 and the spring loaded locking sear 168, the dog leg 172 of which engages the notch 154 to prevent the pinion shaft from rotating. Thus, the key may be removed so that when the sash assembly 32 is rotated neither the sash members nor the weatherseals will be damaged by a protruding key. When the locking sear is in its locking position, the fin 174 must extend upwardly into the area occupied by the cover, thereby allowing the pinion shaft to be locked only when the fin 174 is located to enter the recesses 188, i.e. (l) at the end of the safe opening position and (2) at the window washing position. Since the slots 188 are ramped, rotation of the cover 180 from these positions causes the fin to be displaced to disengage the shaft stop ring for allowing the pinion shaft to rotate and to spring load the locking pin 140 which will jump into either the arcuate slot 186 or the indent 187 as it comes into registry therewith.

Since the windows may sometimes be installed in locations where no hazardous situation is present I have provided deactivating means by which authorized personnel may selectively render the security pivot inoperative. This means includes a set screw 195 which may enter an indent 195a formed in the locking pin 140 (note FIGS. 11 and 13) when the locking pin is in an inoperative position.

To further prevent damage to the sash or weatherseals by failure of the operator to remove the key, a compression spring 196 and shutter washer 198 may be disposed about the noncircular end 146 of the transverse pinion shaft 144. When the key is inserted this spring 196 is compressed and the shaft may be turned; however, after turning the pinion shaft 144 to set the locking sear 168 the natural tendency of the operator is to relax his grip to determine if the pinion shaft is locked, thereupon the compression spring 196 tends to push the key free of the noncircular end 146.

The upper ratchet pivot 68 (illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9) has the same outward appearance, size and shape as the lower pivot 70 but performs an entirely different function. The cup-shaped base member 199 is stationarily mounted on the frame 22 and includes two diametrally opposed, spring-loaded, bullet-nosed ratchet pins 200 which are located in axial bores 202. The ratchet pins 200 are cup-shaped and are biased outwardly by means of compression springs 204 disposed therein. The cover plate 206 includes tapered indents 208 which are located to coincide with the safe opening position of the arcuate slot 186. Although two pairs of indents 208 are formed in the cover plate, it has been explained that only one pair is used in any given window application. Thus, when the window is opened for emregency ventilation the spring-loaded ratchet pins 200 enter the tapered indents 208 to hold the sash assembly 32 open against wind loads but permit it to be pulled shut without the use of a key.

Of course, it should be understood that these ratchettype pivots can be used in pairs without the security pivots where it is desired that the windows be opened for uncontrolled ventilation purposes. Furthermore, the indents in the cover plates can be arranged so that the sash assembly may be held open at any desire angles and close opening angles selectivity may be achieved if two ratchet pivots having diiferent indent locations are used together.

If desired, or if obstructions, either internal or external, are present, or to allow more opening space when opened 90, the pivots may be placed off the center line of the window. Also, as described above, the pivots may be positioned at the sides of the Window for horizontal pivoting if desired.

There are illustrated in FIGS. -27 several embodi ments of my Venetian blind VB and control mechanism including both a Monocommander (trademark of Alcans Ltd.) torque rod system and a standard cord pull system for raising, lowering and tilting the blind. I have provided both systems with a unique mechanism comprising a single control knob 82 located on the interior or room side of the window at a convenient operating height for controlling both the tilting and lifting of the Venetian blind disposed in the sealed chamber 56 between the exterior and interior panes 34 and 36. Furthermore,

the control knob 82 is designed to permit the blind to be raised and lowered only with blades 210 in their flat or untilted position in order to minimize wear on the usual central lift cords 212 and the tilt cords 222 and 224. This feature reduces or even wholly eliminates expensive Venetian blind maintenance and allows the sealed interior sash 54 to remain closed for extended periods of time, minimizing entry of dust into the chamber 56.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7, 15, 16 and 17, there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of my unique Venetian blind and control mechanism. The Venetian blind VB is of the Monocommander type and comprises a rotatable torque rod 214 supported on bearing blocks 216, both being mounted within a head rail 218, the head rail being supported against the top of the tubular sash member 39 upon spaced support brackets 219 which are secured to the exterior sash 37. Of course the Venetian blind may be mounted upon the inner sash if desired, thus requiring some modifications in the operator arrangement. A plurality of lift cords 212 secured at their upper ends to the torque rod 214 pass through central apertures in the blades 210 and are secured at their lower end to a bottom rail 220. Tilting of the blades for light shading is accomplished by movement of the spaced cord ladders 222, each including two vertical cords 224 which pass over the torque rod at their upper ends, and runs 226 for supporting each blade.

Only one of the several ladders is used for controlling blind tilting, the vertical cords 224 of this ladder encircling a clutch ring 228 mounted upon the torque rod 214 (note FIG. 17). As the torque rod is rotated the lift cords 212 are wound thereupon to raise and lower the blind and the clutch ring 228 rotates therewith to tilt the blind. I have interposed the clutch ring 228 beneath the tilt cords 224 and the torque rod 214 in order to enable the ring to be held for preventing tilting while the rod is rotated. This holding point may be adjusted to correspond to the flat or open position of the blades so that when the blind is being raised or lowered the clutch ring 228 is prevented from rotating and the blades will remain flat. The clutch ring 228 preferably is made of a plastic material and is provided with a V-shaped split 230 for permitting it to encircle the torque rod without disassembling the unit and for allowing it to be constricted upon the torque rod by the pressure of the wrapped tilt cords 224 in order to enable it to develop enough friction pressure upon the torque rod 214 to rotate therewith when not constrained. The ring comprises flange walls 229 defining a channel portion 231 therebetween and supporting inwardly extending spring tabs 232. The tabs 232 assist in minimizing slippage of the encircling tilt cords 224 about the clutch ring to maintain proper registry between the ring and the blades by exerting suflicient pressure upon the cord to prevent slippage in use, but allow the cord to be moved for adjustment of the blades 210 relative to the clutch ring 228. A diametric step 234 is formed on one face of the ring for cooperating with a stop member 252 which may be moved to prevent the ring 228 from rotating. The vertical cords 224 located at other positions upon the torque rod 214 merely pass over the torque rod over an arc of approxi mately to assist in tilting the blades 210; however, they develop so little friction relative to the torque rod that they slip upon the rod when the clutch ring 228 is held.

The torque rod includes an end cap 236 at one end having a noncircular central opening therein for receiving a drive shaft 238 also of noncircular, preferably hexagonal, cross section. The drive shaft is driven by means of a flexible cable 240 such as that sold by the name Teleflex (trademark of The Teleflex Corporation). The cable comprises a flexible wire upon Which is wound and fixed an accurately spaced spirally wound wire which acts as a flexible rack when passing over a suitable gear wheel. Such a gear is housed within an upper gear box 242 from which the drive shaft 238 extends and through which the flexible cable 240 passes, its two ends extending out of the bottom of the gear box 242 down the side of the sash to a lower gear box 244. The lower gear box is located at a convenient height for manual operation adjacent the control knob 82. The cable straddles another gear wheel disposed within the lower gear box and is held tangentially thereagainst and passes out the bottom of the gear box 244. A stub shaft 246 of noncircular cross section (preferably hexagonal) extends from the lower gear box 244 transverse to the cables 240 and is suitably connected by means of an intermediate gear to the cable straddled gear. When the stub shaft 246 is rotated by the control knob 82, as will be described more fully below, the lower gear wheel pulls one end of the cable down and pushes the other end up driving the upper gear wheel, the drive shaft 238 and the torque rod 214 for raising and lowering the blind. Of course, there must be sufficient cable to turn the torque rod as many times as required for full raising and lowering of the blind; therefore the cable 240, extending from the bottom of the lower gear box 244, extends down one side of the sash across the bottom and up the other side of the sash, and is encased in a protective flexible plastic tubing 248 which is secured to the sash within a protective cover 250'.

As it is an object of my invention to raise and lower the blind only when the blades 210 are horizontal, I have provided a suitable mechanism for holding the clutch ring 228 against rotation when the blind is raised. This mechanism comprises a stop member 252 having stop fingers 254 at one end for engaging and disengaging the diametric step 234 when moved horizontally, this movement being generated by the following mechanism. Between the upper and lower gear boxes 242 and 244, the cable 240 is covered with two rigid plastic tubes 256 which are shorter than the distance between the gear boxes. These tubes are secured together at their lower and upper ends in split clamp blocks 258 and 260, the lower clamp block 258 carrying a pin 262 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubes and the upper clamp block 260 carrying a bracket 264. Compression springs 266 are disposed about the cables between the upper gear box 242 and the upper clamp block 260 for urging the rigid plastic tubes 260 and clamp blocks 258 and 260 to their normal lower position. A substantially L-shaped swivel link 268 is pivotally secured at its lower end to the bracket 264 and at its upper end to a clevis 270. The drive shaft 238 passes through both the stop member 252 and the clevis 270 to constrain them to horizontal movement. Therefore it should be seen that as the upper clamping block 260 is moved vertically, the lower end of the swivel link 268 moves vertically therewith, while the upper end moves horizontally with the clevis and the stop member 252 for moving the fingers 238 to overlie the diametric step 234. An energy storing compression spring 272 is positioned between the clevis 270 and the stop member 252 to prevent damage to the plastic clutch ring 228.

The stub shaft 246 extending from the lower gear box 244 is actuated by the control knob 82 which is loosely mounted for rotation and axial movement upon the hinged inner sash 54 (note FIGS. 6 and 16). The knob, of course, is detachable from the shaft 246 and swings with the sash in the plane of the shaft such that when the hinged inner sash 54 is closed, the shaft and knob are coupled. The knob is of generally frustoconical shape and includes a central knob shaft 274 having a flange 276 and a stop lug 278 at its free end, the shaft being slidable and rotatable in the fixed sash bushing 280. The shaft 274 further has a central axial bore 282 of noncircular cross-section (shown as being hexagonal) to drivingly couple with the stub shaft 246. A pivotable actuator arm 284 is secured to the inner sash 54 above the knob 82 upon a pivot pin 286 and includes an upper driving surface 288 and a lower, bevelled, driven surface 290.

Axial inward movement of the knob 82 causes the flange 276 to engage the bevelled driven surface 290 of the actuator arm 284 causing the upper driving surface 288 to move the pin 262 upwardly for moving clamp blocks 258 and 260, rigid tubes 256, swivel link 268 and stop member 252 for holding the clutch ring 228 to maintain the blades 210 in a horizontal position while the knob is rotated freely for raising and lowering the blind. When the knob is pulled outwardly, the compression springs 266 urge the above listed elements in the opposite direction to free the clutch ring 228 to allow the blades 210 to be tilted. In order to limit the amount of tilt and to prevent lifting of the blind when the blades are in the maximum tilt position, I have provided a sash stop pin 292 for interference with the stop plug 278 to limit rotation of the knob in the outward position.

It is desirable to index the control knob so that it may only be pushed inwardly when the blades 210 are in their horizontal position. For this purpose I have secured to the knob 82 an index plate 294 having a cutout portion 296 and to the inner sash 54 a fixed index pin 298 having an enlarged head 300. The head 300 may enter the cutout 296 only when the blades are horizontal and the diametric stop 234 is in its central position for being held by the stop member 252. For the convenience of the operator I have also provided two small conical pointers 302, secured to the sash and to the knob to indicate that the head 300 and the cutout 296 are in alignment.

In FIGS. 18-27 there is disclosed four alternate embodiments of my Venetian blind operator and control mechanism. The elements of these mechanisms which are similar to the preferred form described above with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7, 15, 16 and 17 will be identified by similar numerals with a prime added.

The FIG. 18 modification includes a torque rod 214 having a clutch ring 228' mounted thereon. A drive shaft 238' secured in the end cap 236' passes through the fingered stop member 252 and its end is supported in and protrudes from the channel 304 which serves as an upper gear box. A bevel gear 306 is slot pinned to the drive shaft 238' or may be splined thereto for driving the shaft while allowing the shaft to reciprocate therein and a mating bevel gear 308 is secured upon the upper end of vertical drive shaft 310. The lower end of the drive shaft 310 enters the lower gear box 244 mounted on the exterior sash 37. A stub shaft 246 extends from the lower gear box 244' and is rotated by means of the control knob 82' having a shaft wedge 312 located at its end. A tube 314 surrounds the vertical drive shaft 310 and has a flange 316 at its lower end and an L-shaped camming block 318 at its upper end. An actuating lever 320 having a bifurcated end 322 for underlying the flange 316, is pivotally mounted on the inner sash 54 above the control knob 82 upon a pivot pin 324.

When the knob 82' is properly indexed and is moved inwardly, as described above, the wedge 312 pivots the actuating lever 320 moving the tube 314 upwardly to cause the camming surface of the block 318 to move the protruding end of the drive shaft 238 horizontally to urge the stop member 252 into engagement with the clutch ring 228. I have also provided a return spring 326 for disengaging the stop member and the clutch ring when the knob is pulled outwardly to allow the blind to be tilted.

, the entire lower gear box 244 up and down on tracks 328 while the stub shaft 246' and knob shaft 274' may reciprocate in the slot 330 formed through the sash 54. A sliding protective plate 332 is disposed about the knob shaft for preventing entry of dirt or other foreign objects into the sealed chamber 56. The knob 82 and lower gear box 244' are shown in the lower position for raising and lowering of the blind. In this position, the clutch ring 228' is held against a stopping shoulder 334 of the bearing block 216' and may be moved away from the stopping shoulder 334 by the clutch yoke 336. When the vertical drive shaft is in the upper tilting position (note FIG. 20) the bobbin 338 is located for allowing a fixed stop 340 to enter the radial slot 342 in the upper bobbin plate 344 and to be located in the circumferential channel 346. The vertical drive shaft 310' may only rotate approximately 150 in either direction before the tilt stop pin 348 cucounters the fixed stop 340 to limit tilting of the blades. It should be understood that the tilt stop mechanism also serves as an indexing mechanism for allowing the blades to be raised and lowered only in their horizontal position.

I have provided an alternative lifter for the shaft and bobbin, comprising a slide button 350 shown in dot-dash lines in FIGS. 19 and 20, which may slide in the inner sash 54 and comprises a bifurcated end 352 for lifting the bobbin 33-8 and vertical drive shaft 310'. When such an operator is utilized, the lower gear box 244 may be fixed and the vertical drive shaft 310' may be splined by means of a conventional spline collar to a vertical stub shaft extending from the gear box.

In FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 there is illustrated yet another embodiment of my invention, this form utilizing the standard cord lift Venetian blind. The lift cords 354 are secured to and wrapped about a lift cord pulley 356 and the tilt cords 358 are secured to a common operator cord 360 which is passed around a tilt cord pulley 362. The control mechanism is similar to that disclosed in the FIG. 18 embodiment including the control knob 82' and the pivoted actuating lever for moving the vertical drive shaft 364 upwardly. The drive shaft 364 includes a sliding drive coupling 366 at its lower end and its upper end passes through a central axial opening 368 in both the lift cord and tilt cord pulleys 356 and 362. The drive shaft 364 further includes a drive pin 370 disposed in an elongated slot 372 which is located partially in each pulley so that the drive pin 370 will drive whichever pulley is engaged. In order to prevent rotation of the lift cord pulley when the tilt cord pulley is being rotated and also to hold the weight of the blind, I have provided stop means including a leaf spring 374 with a cross pin 376 secured thereto, which may enter a slot 378 formed in the upper face of the lift cord pulley 356. This cross pin 376 is allowed to enter the slot 378 when the drive shaft 364 is in its down position corresponding to the outward or tilt position of the control knob '82. Thus as the drive pin 370 may only be shifted to the lift cord pulley from the tilt cord pulley when the slot portions 372 are aligned, this position corresponds to the horizontal or open condition of the blades 210.

Finally, FIGS. 24-27 are illustrative of still another embodiment of my invention. It should be understood that although the control mechanism is herein illustrated as being located on the opposite side of the blind, this has been done for clarity alone. This system also utilizes the standard cord lift Venetian blind, including the lift cords 354' and the tilt cords 358'. The lift cords 354' pass over a pulley block 380 and their ends are fixed to the exterior sash 37 so that a mechanical advantage of two-to-one may be achieved requiring only one-half the length of cord to be wound upon the lift cord pulley 356'. The tilt cords 358 are secured to a common operator cord 360' which in turn is secured to a bead chain tilt pulley driver 382 passing over a tilt cord pulley 362'. A stub shaft 384 extends axially from the center of the pulleys and carries axially spaced transverse drive pins 386 and 388. These drive pins are positioned so that only one of them may drive one of the pulleys when disposed within the respective slots 390 and 392 formed in the pulleys. In FIG. 25 the stub shaft is shown in its outward position in which the drive pin 386 is disposed in the lift pulley slot 390 for allowing the Venetial blind to be lifted. In FIG. 26 the stub shaft is shown pushed inwardly by the control knob 82' and the drive pin 388 is disposed in the tilt pulley slot 392. A compression spring 394 is disposed in a seat 396 formed in the stub shaft and against an end cap 398 secured to a pulley support block 400 for biasing the shaft outwardly. The support block 400 further includes friction pads 402 and adjusting screw 404 to brake the lift pulley for holding the blind at a desired height against its weight. It should be further noted that the index plate 294' and index pin 298 may register when the drive pin 388 is in registry with the tilt pulley slot 392, thus insuring that the drive pin 386 may only drive the lift pulley 356' when the blades 210 are in their horizontal position. I have further provided one of the tilt pulley end walls with an arcuate slot 406 (note FIG. 27) which receives a fixed pin 408 secured to the pulley support block 400 to limit rotation of the tilt pulley to approximately from its normal central position in either direction.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A double pane window comprising: a frame; a sash assembly mounted in said frame, including an exterior sash having an exterior pane supported therein and an interior sash having an interior pane supported therein said panes defining a chamber therebetween and said interior sash being movable relative to said exterior sash for allowing access to said chamber; a Venetian blind assembly positioned in said chamber including a plurality of blades, tilt ladders for supporting said blades and lift cords passing through said blades; means for tilting, raising and lowering said blades including a single manually operable control knob mounted upon said interior sash; and a Venetian blind indexing mechanism actuated by said control knob including selectively positionable means for allowing said blades to be raised and lowered only when said blades are substantially perpendicular to said lift cords.

2. The double pane window defined in claim 1 wherein: said Venetian blind assembly further includes a rotatable rod about which one of said tilt ladders is wrapped and to which said lift cords are secured; and said indexing mechanism includes a clutch ring positioned upon said rotatable rod over which said one of said tilt ladders is wrapped, said ring having stop means formed thereon, a movable stop member selectively positionable to engage said stop means to prevent said ring from rotating with said rod rotation and thereby prevent said tilt ladders from tilting said blades when said blades are lifted and lowered, means for translating the axial motion of said control knob to the reciprocatory movement of said stop member in another plane, and an indexing device on said control knob for allowing said control knob to be moved axially only when said blades are substantially perpendicular to said lift cords.

3. The double pane window defined in claim 2 wherein said means for tilting, raising and lowering said blades further includes a flexible cable, a first gear box and a second gear box, said cable being driven by said control knob through said first gear box and driving said rotatable rod through said second gear box.

4. The double pane window defined in claim 3 wherein said motion translating means includes: a pair of rigid tubes disposed upon said flexible cable between said first and second gear boxes; clamping means positioned at the ends of said rigid tubes to secure them together; camming means actuated by axial movement of said control knob for moving said rigid tubes in a plane substantially normal to said axial movement; and a lever secured at one end to said clamping means adjacent said second gear box for movement therewith and secured at its other end to said stop member for moving said member in a plane normal to the plane of movement of said one end.

5. The double pane window defined in claim 2 wherein: said means for tilting, raising and lowering said blades further includes a rotatable and reciprocable drive shaft, a first gear box at one of said drive shaft for translating rotation of said control knob to rotation of said drive shaft, a second gear box at the remote end of said drive shaft for translating rotation thereof to rotation of said rotatable rod; and said indexing mechanism further includes means for reciprocating said drive shaft, and a cam positioned at the end of said drive shaft adjacent said second gear box for moving said stop member to prevent rotation of said clutch ring.

6. The double pane window defined in claim 2 wherein said means for tilting, raising and lowering said blades further includes a rotatable drive shaft, a first gear box for translating rotation of said control knob to rotation of said drive shaft, a second gear box at the remote end of said drive shaft for translating rotation of said drive shaft to rotation of said rotatable rod; and said indexing mechanism further includes a tube surrounding said drive shaft, camming means actuated by axial movement of said control knob for moving said tube in a plane normal to said axial movement, and a cam positioned at the end of said tube adjacent said second gear box for moving said stop member to prevent rotation of said clutch ring.

7. The double pane window defined in claim 1 wherein said means for tilting, raising and lowering said blades further includes: a lift cord pulley; a tilt cord pulley, each of said pulleys defining an aperture therein; means to selectively rotate one of said pulleys, said means including a drive pin which may be selectively introduced into one of said apertures, said aperture formed in said lift pulley being in registry with said drive pin for acceptance thereof only when said blades are substantially normal to said lift cord.

8. The double pane window defined in claim 2 including a pair of axially aligned pivots positioned between said sash assembly and said frame.

9. The pivotable double pane window defined in claim 8 wherein one of said pivots is a security pivot and may be locked in various positions, said pivot including: a base secured to one of said sash or said frame; a relatively rotatable cover secured to the other of said sash or said frame; a spring biased locking pin secured in said base and extendable into said cover; said cover defining locking indents therein for receiving said locking pin; locking pin retracting means including a rack formed on said locking pin, and a shaft disposed transverse to said locking pin having a pinion positioned thereon for engagement with said rack for retracting said locking pin when rotated in a first direction; and means for maintaining said locking pin retracted in predetermined positions including a stop ring positioned thereon defining a notch therein, a pivotable sear mounted in said base having a portion at one end for being seated in said notch for preventing said transverse shaft from rotating in a second direction and having unseating means formed at its other end, said unseating means cooperating with said cover for unseating said portion when said cover is rotated relative to said base to a position other than the predetermined retracting position.

10. The double pane window defined in claim 1 including a pair of axially aligned pivots positioned between said sash assembly and said frame.

11. The pivotable double pane window defined in claim 10 wherein one of said pivots is a security pivot and may be locked in various positions, said security pivot including: a base secured to one of said sash or said frame; a relatively rotatable cover secured to the other of said sash or said frame; a spring biased locking pin secured in said base and being extendable into said cover; said cover defining locking indents therein for receiving said locking pin to lock said cover in predetermined positions; and means positioned in said base for retracting said looking pin from said cover.

12. The pivotable double pane window defined in claim 11 wherein said retracting means includes: a rack formed on said locking pin; a shaft disposed transverse to said locking pin and having a pinion positioned thereon for engagement with said rack for retracting said locking pin when said transverse shaft is rotated in a first direction.

13. The pivotable double pane window defined in claim 12 including means for maintaining said locking pin retracted when located in predetermined retracting positions, said means comprising: a stop ring positioned on said transverse shaft having a notch defined therein, a pivotable sear mounted in said base having a portion at one end for being seated on said notch for preventing said shaft from rotating in a second direction and having unseating means positioned at the other end, said unseating means cooperating with said cover for unseating said portion when said cover is rotated relative to said base to a position other than the predetermined position.

14. For use with a rotatable window, to lock the window in various angular positions, a security pivot comprising: a base mountable upon a first window member; a cover rotatably secured to said base and mountable upon a second window member; a spring biased locking pin secured in said base and being extendable into said cover; said cover defining locking indents therein for receiving said locking pin to lock said cover in predetermined angular positions; and means positioned in said base for retracting said locking pin from said cover.

15. The security pivot defined in claim 14 wherein saidv retracting means includes: a rack formed on said locking pin; a shaft disposed transverse to said locking pin and having a pinion positioned thereon for engagement with said rack for retracting said locking pin when said transverse shaft is rotated in a first direction.

16. The security pivot defined in claim 15 including means for maintaining said locking pin retracted when located in the predetermined angular positions, comprising: a stop ring positioned on said transverse shaft having a notch defined therein, a pivotable sear mounted in said base having a portion at one end for being seated on said notch for preventing said shaft from rotating in a second direction and having unseating means positioned at the other end, said unseating means cooperating with said cover for unseating said portion when said cover is rotated relative to said base to a position other than the predetermined retracting position.

17. A rotatable window comprising: a frame; a sash mounted for rotation within said frame; opposed pivot means about which said sash is rotatable; and a weathersealing arrangement comprising a peripheral reversing lap-type weatherseal and a peripheral reversing resilient wiping-type weatherseal, said weatherseals including an outswing construction and an inswing construction each extending around the periphery of the window from pivot to pivot, said lap-type weatherseal including a metal flange housing a resilient sealing element is located at the exterior of said sash completely around said window from pivot to pivot to protect the internal resilient sealing elements from sunlight and the elements.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 716,594 12/ 1902 Tabor 49390 X 756,006 3/ 1904 Essig 49---390 X 1,457,323 6/1923 Tabor 49390 X 1,587,297 6/ 1926 Gates 49390 2,258,996 10/ 1941 Morrison 49--391 2,812,557 11/1957 Hauck 49390 3,097,688 7/ 1963 Schwartz 107 X 3,139,303 6/ 1964 Schutte 49-391 X 3,141,497 7/1964 Griesser 160170 3,326,267 6/ 1967 Hauck 160-107 3,342,243 9/1967 Salter 160-107 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

PHILIP C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

P0405) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent: No. 3Lm3624 Dated my 3; 9 9

Louis Toth Inventofls) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 8, "direcaion" should be -direction---.-

See page 7, line 7 of specification as filed.

Column 7, line 45, "emregency" should be -emergency--.

See page 16, line 10 of specification as filed. Column 10, line 15, "plug" should be --lug-- See page 22, line 19 of specification as filed. Column 11, line 75, "Venetial" should be --Venetian--;

See page 27, line 9 of specification as filed. Column 12, line 74, after- "one" insert --end- See claim 5, line t as filed.

Column 14, line 12, after "predetermined" insert--retracting-- se claim 13, line 12 as filed.

SIGNED mu swan APR 2 8 1970 WILL Attesting Officer 53- Commissioner of Patemfis 

